How to Build a Nuclear Bomb: And Other Weapons of Mass Destruction

by Frank Barnaby

Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are the greatest threat to national security in the twenty-first century. How to Build a Nuclear Bomb explains what it takes for a rogue state or terrorist group to obtain and use them. But nuclear weapons and terrorism expert Frank Barnaby has not written a collection of scare stories. His purpose in How to Build a Nuclear Bomb is to counteract the "misinformation, often put out for propaganda purposes" and general ignorance on this most urgent of topics. Barnaby describes, in straightforward, non-sensational terms what is involved when a state or a terrorist group sets out to make a weapon of mass destruction, what they are capable of doing, and what is needed to produce one. By outlining the parameters of the problem, Barnaby is able to accurately gauge the threat that WMD pose, arguing that counterterrorist measures urgently need to be stepped up to meet the challenges of a new era of international terror.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Politics, Military Fiction, Physics

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 17, 2004

About the author

Frank Charles Barnaby is Nuclear Issues Consultant to the Oxford Research Group, a freelance defence analyst, and a prolific author on military technology, based in the UK.

Barnaby trained as a nuclear physicist and worked at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston, between 1951 and 1957. He was on the senior scientific staff of the Medical Research Council (UK) when a university lecturer at University College London (1957–67). Barnaby was Director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) from 1971–81. He was a Professor at the VU University Amsterdam 1981–85, and awarded the Harold Stassen Chair of International Relations at the University of Minnesota in 1985.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

an essential resource for those who are wanting to learn about nuclear weapons, nuclear terrorism (or rather the lack of) or other WMDs. very easy to comprehend but this does not discount this book as an inferior resource because it's an easy read. the book itself is broken down into how nuclear, biological and chemical weapons work and the various types of these WMDs. there is a section that explains exactly how a nuclear bomb functions, down to the neutrons which I found especially helpful. another section discusses WMDs and the state and there is also a section about nuclear terrorism. the only downfall of this book is that some of the information, especially in the terrorism section, is outdated by about 10 years. still, all of the above are explained crystal clear which makes for understanding WMDs and the issues that surround them easier.

there are also maps that indicate where uranium is mined, what states are a part of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (outdated I believe but still helpful), what states have HEU nuclear facilities and so on. illustrations of how nuclear fission happens and several statistical charts are also present.

written by a physicist who has worked at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment himself.

[Maksym Shcherban · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything in this book is a well-known publicly available information, but it's nice to have it compiled into a single short book.

[Ira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read this for school - makes physics easy to understand and describes WMDs really well for a beginner.

Wasn’t a fan of the conclusions, but I’m glad I read it nonetheless.

[Brook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not some Anarchist's Cookbook knockoff. Mr. Barnaby is a nuclear scientist who also was the Director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
This book explores the various ways that terror groups can build weapons of mass destruction. It covers "dirty" bombs, true nukes, chemical weapons, and the psychological and political ramifications of each one. He also goes into detail about the various stages of nuclear weapons, and what you need to produce each of them. This book allows you to view both proclamations from nutjobs like Amadinejad and scares from Western media and politicians with a critical eye, and better gauge the actual threat. He also does a case study of N. Korea.
Very interesting book.

[Bob Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barnaby writes best when he does what the title says: his info on what expertise, resources and infrastructure is needed to produce various types of WMDs is given straightforwardly and clearly. Well worth a read for that alone. Simply put, you can't understand the debate about the nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea unless you are at least passingly familiar with what it actually takes to produce nuclear weapons. The political analysis is over a decade old and a bit iffy so feel free to skip that.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

real awesome

[Tony · Rating 2 out of 5]

Barnaby doesn't waste words on introductions and conclusions. accordingly, it can be a bit hard to figure out what he's talking about.